Title: Parametric analysis of the stability of a bicycle taking into account geometrical, mass and compliance properties

Authors: Alberto Doria; Valerio Favaron; Luca Taraborrelli; Sergio Roa

Addresses: Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Venezia 1, 35131, Padova, Italy ' Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Venezia 1, 35131, Padova, Italy ' Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Padova, Via Venezia 1, 35131, Padova, Italy ' Mechanical Engineering Department, Universidad de Los Andes, Carrera 1 Este # 19A-40, Bogotá, Colombia

Abstract: Some studies of bicycle dynamics have applied the Whipple Carvallo bicycle model (WCBM) for the stability analysis. The WCBM is limited, since structural elements are assumed to be rigid bodies. In this paper, the WCBM is extended to include the front assembly lateral compliance, and analysis focuses on the study of the open loop stability of a benchmark bicycle. Experimental tests to identify fork and wheel properties are performed, this data is used in the stability analysis for ranking the influence of design parameters. Indexes from the eigenvalues analysis are applied in a full factorial approach. The results show that introducing front assembly compliance generates a wobble mode with little effect on self-stability. The forward displacement of the centre of mass of the rear frame and the increment in trail lead to large increments in the self-stability, whereas increments in front wheel radius and wheelbase reduce stability.

Keywords: bicycle; stability; weave; capsize; wobble; front fork; wheel; modal analysis; compliance.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.2017.090908

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 2017 Vol.75 No.1/2/3/4, pp.91 - 123

Received: 08 Dec 2016
Accepted: 22 Aug 2017
Published online: 03 Apr 2018 *

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